Indians face France probe for neglect

Paris, March 21 (AFP): French officials are investigating an Indian couple after discovering that three young boys had been confined in appalling conditions in a suburban Paris flat.

The parents were taken in for questioning after the 27-year-old mother gave birth in January and staff at the hospital alerted social services when they were struck by her indifferent attitude to her baby girl.

Investigations showed that three boys — aged between two and six — were confined in the couple’s flat in the gritty suburb of La Courneuve.

The boys had severe developmental deficiencies and could barely walk or talk.

“These were children living wild and basically left to fend for themselves,” a source close to the case said.

Neighbours in the high-rise estate, which houses some 4,000 people, said they were not aware of the children’s existence.